Characters

Auditioning for The Music Man JR. can be a challenging experience. That's why we have prepared the following excerpts to help you get ready to "break a leg." 

Below, each character has a breakdown. On the Audition Sides page, you will find "sides" (scripts) and a small excerpt from the score with which to rehearse for your audition. 

• Harold Hill: Harold Hill is a great role for a young person to play. A boy with charisma and charm, who is comfortable on stage, is what we are looking for. He should be a great actor, an average singer, and an average mover. We'll want to cast a boy with a changed voice. This actor must be able to memorize lines easily and have a good sense of musical rhythm. If you are auditioning for Harold Hill, you MUST prepare 76 Trombones for your audition. Vocal Range: B3 - G5

• Marian Paroo: The role of Marian is a different twist on the traditional leading lady. The character progresses greatly during the show, starting as an uptight librarian and transforming into a beautiful and trusting young woman. Marian must have an amazing voice, be an excellent actor, and be able to move well. She must also have an air of confidence that draws Harold and the audience to her. She will also need to be comfortable kissing two boys - Harold and Charlie Cowell - which requires a certain amount of emotional maturity. If you are auditioning for Marian Paroo, you MUST prepare Till There Was You for your audition. Vocal Range: G3 - G5

• Charlie Cowell: Charlie Cowell is one of the premium acting-only roles. The actor playing Charlie may perform in the ensemble or as a teen dancer or townsperson. A strong actor with a good loud voice who is a bit of a ham and likes being on the stage is perfect for this role. He has to be comfortable kissing Marian, and should have a good sense of comic timing. Charlie is a good choice for an understudy to Harold Hill. 

• Mayor Shinn: You may be tempted to be "over-the-top" as Mayor Shinn, but resist and heed the warning of Meredith Willson. The actor playing Mayor Shinn certainly needs a good sense of comic timing, but should be able to perform the role very seriously. This is elemental in creating the humour of The Music Man JR., which is based in reality. Mayor Shinn does not have to sing or dance, but he is responsible for a great deal of the pacing and line pick up in the show. This actor needs to be able to memorize long monologues. 

• Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn: Everybody wants to play Eulalie. It's a great role for a great comic actress. Heed Mr. Willson's warning and avoid acting over the top. If Eulalie takes herself seriously the audience will find her hysterical. Eulalie does have some singing and some dancing, or at least posing. Vocal Range: D4 - D5

• Marcellus Washburn: This classic sidekick to Harold has been immortalized by comedic greats like Buddy Hacket. Marcellus' big number is "Shipoopi" so the character has to act well, sing reasonably well (although a character voice is best) and be able to dance. We're looking for the kid who is just funny all the time. Vocal Range: E4 - D#5

• Ethel Toffelmier: Ethel is Marcellus's girlfriend. She's described by Marcellus as "a nice comfortable girl and the bosses' niece." Ethel has some acting, some singing, and some dancing. Ethel is also one of the solo Pick-a-Little ladies. Vocal Range: D4 - D5

• Mrs. Paroo: Mrs. Paroo is the conscience of River City. She is a great mother, stands up for what she believes in, and gently pushes Marian to think of her future. The role requires an actress who can do a good Irish Brogue, and who can sing and act. She should also look right with Marian and Winthrop. Vocal Range: -1 - Eb5

• Wintrop Paroo: Winthrop should appear to be young, his voice must be unchanged, and he should be a good actor. Winthrop also needs to be able to affect a believable lisp. Winthrop has to transform from a shy child to an outspoken child who not only sings but dances! Vocal Range: C4 - Eb5

• Amaryllis: Amaryllis is the slightly bratty girl who studies piano with Marian. Amaryllis should be a good actor, and roughly the same size as Winthrop and Gracie. Amaryllis should have some piano skills - this actor may be able to play the piano live during the show. Just who are Amaryllis' parents is one of the great mysteries of The Music Man JR. and something for you to decide. 

• Ewart Dunlop: Ewart is one of the four quartet members with the second highest voice or tenor. He is married to Maud Dunlop. This actor must be able to hold his own vocal parts strongly. Vocal Range: E4 - F#5

• Oliver Hix: Oliver is one of the four quartet members with the second lowest voice or baritone. He is married to Alma Hix. This actor must be able to hold his own vocal parts strongly. Vocal Range: E4 - F#5

• Jacey Squires: Jacey is one of the four quartet members with the highest voice or tenor. He is married to Mrs. Squires. This actor must be able to hold his own vocal parts strongly. Vocal Range: B3 - A5

• Olin Britt: Olin is one of the four quartet members with the lowest voice or bass. This actor must be able to hold his own vocal parts strongly. Vocal Range: A3 - D5

• Tommy Djilas: Tommy is the teen heartthrob in the show. Tommy's love interest is Zaneeta. 

• Zaneeta Shinn: Zaneeta should be our best female dancer. The role is often given dance features in both "76 trombones" and "Shipoopi". Zaneeta also should look like she belongs in the Shinn Family, although this is not necessary. Zaneeta gets to deliver the classic "Ye gads" line! 

• Gracie Shinn: Gracie is Zaneeta's little sister. This role has one or two lines of dialogue and traditionally is the first soloist in "Wells Fargo Wagon." Gracie can also understudy Amaryllis in case of an emergency. Vocal Range: B3 - Eb5

• Alma Hix: One of the core members of the Pick-a-little ladies, requiring girls with strong voices and a good sense of comedy. Alma is married to Oliver. We can also add additional Pick-a-little ladies. Vocal Range: D4 - D5

• Maud Dunlop: One of the core members of the Pick-a-little ladies, requiring girls with strong voices and a good sense of comedy. Maud is married to Ewart. We can also add additional Pick-a-little ladies. Vocal Range: D4 - D5

• Mrs. Squires: One of the core members of the Pick-a-little ladies, requiring girls with strong voices and a good sense of comedy. Mrs. Squires is married to Jacey. We can also add additional Pick-a-little ladies. Vocal Range: D4 - D5

• Conductor: The train conductor has the first line in the show, so an actor that is loud and energetic is required! 

• Constable Locke: The Constable is a quietly wise man who sees through Harold, but doesn't seem to mind. It's a nice feature for any young character actor. 

• Ensemble: The Ensemble is comprised of Adult-types, teens and kids to play townspeople, traveling salesmen, teen dancers, Wa Tan Ye girls and the boys' band. Can accommodate additional Pick-a-little ladies 

  • Adults: Since THE MUSIC MAN JR. is about a town, the cast will be assigned into family units. We will try to create a realistic town with married folks, single folks, etc. Each family will create a family history, including details of their lives. The adults have a few lines; they also have some solo vocal lines. The Farmer and His Wife will be selected from this group. 

  • Traveling Salesmen: We will cast several good actors to play traveling salesmen, especially salesmen number five, number three, and number one. 

  • Teen Dancers: A group of teen dancers be selected from our best dancers. The Teen Dancers will be responsible for "Shipoopi," and have features in "76 Trombones." Each Teen Dancer will be assigned to a family to create the illusion of a real town. 

  • Wa Tan Ye Girls: All of the little girls can play Wa Tan Ye Girls. They are featured during Eulalie's "Spectacle" just prior to "76 Trombones." They will be assigned to families. 

  • Boys' Band: All of the little boys can be in the Boys' Band provided we have enough uniforms. The Boys' Band has two main features: "76 Trombones" and the finale of the show. The boys will also be part of families.